Disco Partner delivers record-setting performance in Grade 3 Jaipur

By Sarah Mace

A surprise-package runner-up in the 2016 running of the Grade 3, $300,000 Jaipur Invitational, Patricia Generazio’s homebred Disco Partner not only got the job done on Belmont Day this time around, but in the process established a course, North American and world record time of 1:05.67 for six furlongs on turf.

Disco Partner is a son of the late Disco Rico, a speed-sensation in his own right who stood in New York from 2008 until 2013. The grey, now five, had a successful three-year run with trainer Jim Ryerson and in last year’s Jaipur, at odds of 16-1, finished a neck behind Pure Sensation (Zensational), another grey Generazio homebred who was trained by Christophe Clement and let go at odds of 18-1. Pure Sensation’s 2016 Jaiper established a new North American record for the distance on turf (1:06.76), and the all-Generazio exacta paid $825.

Fast-forward one year. Both horses lined up again for the Jaipur, but this time both were sent out by Clement, to whom Disco Partner was transferred for his 2017 campaign. Disco Partner was sent off as third betting choice at odds of 9-2. His stablemate was slightly better regarded at 7-2.

After the break, the late-running Disco Partner assumed his customary position near the back of the field, content to cruise along at the hedge with only two horses beaten and seven lengths off the pace set by Pure Sensation, who led the field a through sparkling opening quarter mile in 21.43.

Drawing closer to the pack through the far turn, Disco Partner cut the corner while Pure Sensation reasserted his lead from challengers Loose on the Town and Stormy Liberal after a half in 43.04.

Disco Partner closed into second at the rail, then tipped out between horses with a furlong to go. Unleashing his devastating closing kick, he collared Pure Sensation to his inside and out-finished 5-2 favorite Green Mask who was issuing a late bid to his outside. He secured the victory by a half-length and put his name in the record books for the blistering final time. Holding Gold (18-1) got up for third another length back, while Pure Sensation had to settle for fourth. [VIDEO REPLAY[2]]

“I saved all the ground and when I had horse, I got through, said jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. “We split horses and [Disco Partner] got there. He’s a nice horse. He’s doing so well.”

Clement added, “Disco Partner had a great trip. Irad had him placed in a good position and he was able to take advantage and move forward to finish in the end. Irad has been riding great and he did a good job again here today.”

The winner of two of five starts in 2016, including his first black type victory in the open Troy Stakes at Saratoga, Disco Partner returned this year after six months on the bench with a sensational victory in the 7-furlong Elusive Quality under Ortiz on April 29.

Not only talented, but consistent, Disco Partner’s career record now stands at seven wins, four seconds and two thirds from 17 starts. The Jaipur win boosted his earnings bankroll to $621,810.

Foaled at Keane Stud [4]in Amenia, Disco Partner is a third-generation Generazio-bred. His second dam, Mary Lou’s Magic (Concord Dream), was bred by in Florida by Patricia Generazio and trained by her husband Frank. As a broodmare Mary Lou’s Magic produced six winners including Lulu’s Number, the dam of Disco Partner, a New Jersey-bred multiple winner of over $200,000 trained by Ben Perkins, Jr.

Lulu’s Number (Numerous) has produced five winners, including Don Six’s Number (Don Six), a stakes performer and earner of $212,686. She has a 2-year-old filly by Posse named Lulu’s Partner, and delivered a colt by First Samurai on February 14, 2017.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2017/06/10/disco-partner-jaipur-17/

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